A railcar dumper system utilizes a trunnion wheel assembly to support a rotary rail car dumper having a rotary frame assembly supported by at least four trunnion wheel assemblies positioned along the ends of the rotary frame assembly. Each trunnion wheel assembly includes an equalizer bracket and a pair of trunnion wheel units selectively connected and disconnected from opposite ends of the equalizer bracket. Each trunnion wheel unit has a respective trunnion wheel bracket supporting a respective trunnion wheel that rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket. An equalizer support pivotally connects to the equalizer bracket between the opposite ends.
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9. A trunnion wheel assembly comprising:
an equalizer bracket;
an equalizer support pivotally connected to said equalizer bracket between opposite ends of the equalizer bracket;
a trunnion wheel bracket defining a wheel pin passageway there through, said trunnion wheel bracket configured to selectively connect and disconnect from said equalizer bracket;
wherein:
said equalizer bracket is positioned for support on a static surface and defines a clearing space between a first mating surface and a second mating surface; and
said trunnion wheel bracket defines a corresponding clearing space between a first corresponding mating surface and a second corresponding mating surface;
wherein said first mating surface and said second mating surface define respectively angled mating surfaces connected to said equalizer bracket;
wherein said first corresponding mating surface and said second corresponding mating surface define respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces connected to said trunnion wheel bracket;
wherein said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces define respective angles relative to the static surface, such that, when connected, said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces extend around a central axis of the trunnion wheel without intersecting the central axis of the trunnion wheel;
wherein said respectively angled mating surfaces selectively connect and disconnect from said respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces; and
wherein in a connected position, said equalizer bracket and said trunnion wheel bracket meet at said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces to define a trunnion wheel cavity encompassing the clearing space and the corresponding clearing space such that the trunnion wheel is exposed by a section of the trunnion wheel cavity opposite the equalizer bracket and rotates within the trunnion wheel assembly,
wherein the portion of the trunnion wheel that is exposed is configured to receive a load thereon at a plurality of angles determined by a pivot position of the equalizer support.
16. A railcar dumper system comprising:
a rotary rail car dumper supported by at least four trunnion wheel assemblies, each trunnion wheel assembly comprising:
an equalizer bracket;
a pair of trunnion wheel units selectively connected and disconnected from opposite ends of the equalizer bracket, wherein each trunnion wheel unit comprises a respective trunnion wheel bracket supporting a respective trunnion wheel that rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket; and
an equalizer support pivotally connected to said equalizer bracket between said opposite ends;
wherein:
said equalizer bracket is positioned for support on a static surface and defines a clearing space between a first mating surface and a second mating surface; and
said trunnion wheel bracket defines a corresponding clearing space between a first corresponding mating surface and a second corresponding mating surface;
wherein said first mating surface and said second mating surface define respectively angled mating surfaces connected to said equalizer bracket;
wherein said first corresponding mating surface and said second corresponding mating surface define respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces connected to said trunnion wheel bracket;
wherein said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces define respective angles relative to the static surface, such that, when connected, said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces extend around a central axis of the trunnion wheel without intersecting the central axis of the trunnion wheel;
wherein said respectively angled mating surfaces selectively connect and disconnect from said respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces; and
wherein in a connected position, said equalizer bracket and said trunnion wheel bracket meet at said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces to define a trunnion wheel cavity encompassing the clearing space and the corresponding clearing space such that the trunnion wheel is exposed by a section of the trunnion wheel cavity opposite the equalizer bracket and rotates within the trunnion wheel assembly.
1. A trunnion wheel assembly comprising:
an equalizer bracket; and
a trunnion wheel unit comprising a trunnion wheel bracket supporting a trunnion wheel that rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket;
wherein the trunnion wheel unit is configured to be selectively connected and disconnected from the equalizer bracket;
an equalizer support comprising a pivot mechanism pivotally connected to said equalizer bracket between opposite ends of the equalizer bracket,
wherein the trunnion wheel unit is configured to be selectively connected and disconnected from the equalizer bracket without disassembling the pivot mechanism or the equalizer bracket;
wherein:
said equalizer bracket is positioned for support on a static surface and defines a clearing space between a first mating surface and a second mating surface; and
said trunnion wheel bracket defines a corresponding clearing space between a first corresponding mating surface and a second corresponding mating surface;
wherein said first mating surface and said second mating surface define respectively angled mating surfaces connected to said equalizer bracket;
wherein said first corresponding mating surface and said second corresponding mating surface define respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces connected to said trunnion wheel bracket;
wherein said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces define respective angles relative to the static surface, such that, when connected, said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces extend around a central axis of the trunnion wheel without intersecting the central axis of the trunnion wheel;
wherein said respectively angled mating surfaces selectively connect and disconnect from said respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces; and
wherein in a connected position, said equalizer bracket and said trunnion wheel bracket meet at said respectively angled mating surfaces and respectively angled corresponding mating surfaces to define a trunnion wheel cavity encompassing the clearing space and the corresponding clearing space such that the trunnion wheel is exposed by a section of the trunnion wheel cavity opposite the equalizer bracket and rotates within the trunnion wheel assembly.
2. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
3. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
4. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
5. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
wherein the angled mating surfaces and corresponding angled mating surfaces configure the trunnion wheel assembly with a respective trunnion wheel unit selectively connected and disconnected at said pairs of mating surfaces at each of the opposite ends.
6. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
7. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
10. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
11. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
12. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
13. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
a pivot mechanism connecting said equalizer support to said equalizer bracket; and
at least one respective removable fastener connecting said respective trunnion wheel brackets to said pairs of mating surfaces,
wherein either of the respective trunnion wheel brackets are removable from the trunnion wheel assembly in the presence of a load on at least one of the trunnion wheel and the second trunnion wheel without removing the pivot mechanism.
14. A trunnion wheel assembly according to
17. A railcar dumper system according to
18. A railcar dumper system according to
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Current systems for depositing rail car loads include rotary frame assemblies that dump the contents of a rail car into a destination container by tipping the rail car over within a rotary frame securing the rail car. The rotary frame of the rail car assembly receives a rail car therein, and a power train connected to appropriate mechanical gearing and linkages turns the frame about a central frame axis to a pre-set angle of rotation sufficient to allow the contents of the rail car to exit from an opening in the rail car.
The rotary frame assembly in traditional rail car dumpers is an industrial strength frame assembly that outlines a shape and size sufficient to hold and turn an entire rail car of standard freight train dimensions. The significant weight and size of the rail car, along with the weight and size of the frame assembly itself, requires detailed structural engineering to ensure proper support, safety, and durability. One kind of component that is particularly subject to stress in a rotary rail car dumper assembly is the base arrangement that essentially supports the entire assembly and enables the whole operation of maintaining a rail car above ground in a position for rotating the frame and dumping the contents of the rail car.
Along the base region of a traditional rotary dumper frame assembly, the frame assembly utilizes trunnions that support each end of the frame assembly. The trunnions are configured to support and turn the rotary frame assembly about the central axis of the frame assembly. Generally, the trunnions raise the rotary frame assembly off the ground and providing rotary components that engage the rotary frame assembly so that the frame assembly turns, about a central axis, along the trunnions. In this way, the intense weight of the frame assembly, with and without a rail car therein, rests on the rotors of a set of trunnions positioned under support positions in the rotary frame assembly. Typically, four trunnions support the rotary frame assembly and allow for the frame assembly to rotate thereon.
In traditional rotary frame assemblies, the rotor of the trunnion is a trunnion wheel, or even a pair of trunnion wheels, that mates or at least contacts, with a portion of the frame assembly. The trunnion wheels allow the frame assembly to rotate along the intersection of the trunnion wheels and those portions of the frame assembly mating with each trunnion wheel. In this way, the drive train of the frame assembly imparts rotary motion to the frame assembly, and the frame assembly is free to rotate along the trunnion wheels that provide not only support for the weight but corresponding rotary motion at the same time.
As noted above, the extreme weight and the mechanical stress of rotary motion lead to numerous issues in regard to maintenance of the rotary frame assembly and the trunnion wheels. To date, the trunnion wheels require the whole trunnion assembly to be dismantled in the event that the trunnion wheel needs to be replaced. Accordingly, the trunnion for a rotary frame must be taken out of commission and the trunnion wheel removed for repair by extracting the wheel pin and the entire wheel assembly. Accordingly, a need exists in the art of rotary rail car dumpers for an apparatus, a method, and a system that accommodates a quick change rotary rail car dumper assembly.
In one embodiment, a trunnion wheel assembly includes an equalizer bracket and a trunnion wheel unit with a trunnion wheel bracket supporting a trunnion wheel that rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket. The trunnion wheel unit is configured to be selectively connected and disconnected from the equalizer bracket.
In another embodiment, the trunnion wheel assembly includes an equalizer bracket and a trunnion wheel bracket defining a wheel pin passageway there through, wherein the trunnion wheel bracket is configured to selectively connect and disconnect from said equalizer bracket. In a connected position, the equalizer bracket and the trunnion wheel bracket define a trunnion wheel cavity therein.
In yet another embodiment, a railcar dumper system utilizes the trunnion wheel assembly to support a rotary rail car dumper supported by at least four trunnion wheel assemblies, each trunnion wheel assembly having an equalizer bracket and a pair of trunnion wheel units selectively connected and disconnected from opposite ends of the equalizer bracket. Each trunnion wheel unit comprises a respective trunnion wheel bracket supporting a respective trunnion wheel that rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket. An equalizer support pivotally connects to the equalizer bracket between the opposite ends.
Additionally, in a method of connecting a trunnion wheel within a trunnion wheel assembly, the method includes assembling a trunnion wheel unit by securing the trunnion wheel within a trunnion wheel bracket such that the trunnion wheel rotates about a wheel pin connected across the trunnion wheel bracket, securing the trunnion wheel unit to an equalizer bracket on the trunnion wheel assembly such that the trunnion wheel rotates about the wheel pin within a trunnion wheel cavity defined by the trunnion wheel bracket and the equalizer bracket, wherein the trunnion wheel unit is configured to be selectively connected and disconnected from the equalizer bracket.
As shown in the
In one embodiment, the trunnion wheel assemblies (100), positioned at respective load bearing points along the rotary frame assembly (215), are mobile assemblies that can be interchanged as necessary for repair or maintenance. Other embodiments may connect the trunnion wheel assemblies (100) to the rotary frame assembly (215) as necessary to implement a rotary rail car dumper in a particular environment.
Without limiting the kinds of rotary rail car dumpers that may utilize the respectively disclosed trunnion wheel assemblies (99, 100) and rotary frame assembly (215) shown here, certain aspects of the rotary frame assembly (215) are referenced and described for purposes of a complete disclosure. As discussed above and shown in
As shown in
The equalizer bracket (95) may be composed of numerous faces connected together and supported by gussets to define a generalized opening or cradle (153) between the faces as shown in
The trunnion wheel unit (12A, 12B) described herein presents a marked difference in the realm of trunnion wheel assemblies used prior to this disclosure. Each trunnion wheel unit (12A, 12B) of
Each trunnion wheel unit (12A, 12B), therefore, incorporates a trunnion wheel (10A, 10B) for engaging the rotary frame assembly (215) as described previously herein. The trunnion wheels typically include a respective wheel pin (190A, 190B) that is coaxial with each trunnion wheel (10A, 10B) and secured across a respective trunnion wheel bracket (95) such that the trunnion wheel rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket (30A, 30B) and about the wheel pin (190). Standard bearing assemblies with wheel pin end plate (105), gaskets (110), seal rings (120), seal spacers (125), O-rings (135), bearing and seal retainers (140), bearing seal rings (145), and roller bearings (150) are shown in
The equalizer bracket (95), configured for tilting up and down across a pivot mechanism (75), defines first and second mating surfaces (158A-D) on respective ends of the equalizer bracket (95) and on respective sides of the divider (146) separating the opposite portions of the equalizer cradle. In a companion fashion, the trunnion wheel bracket (30A, 30B) defines corresponding mating surfaces (157A-D). In one nonlimiting example shown in
As noted above and shown in
The trunnion wheel assembly (100) allows for the rotary frame assembly (215) to be supported and rotated along a set of trunnion wheel assemblies supporting the rotary frame assembly. In the examples shown in the figures, a rotary dumper system includes a rotary rail car dumper with a rotary frame assembly (215) supported by at least four trunnion wheel assemblies (100), each trunnion wheel assembly including an equalizer bracket (95) and a pair of trunnion wheel units (12) selectively connected and disconnected from opposite ends of the equalizer bracket (95), wherein each trunnion wheel unit comprises a respective trunnion wheel bracket (30) supporting a respective trunnion wheel (10) that rotates within the trunnion wheel bracket. An equalizer support pivotally connects to the equalizer bracket (95) between opposite ends of the equalizer bracket, as described herein.
The components are configured for use in a method of connecting a trunnion wheel within a trunnion wheel assembly, the method including assembling a trunnion wheel unit (12) by securing the trunnion wheel (10) within a trunnion wheel bracket (30) such that the trunnion wheel rotates about a wheel pin (190) connected across the trunnion wheel bracket. Securing the trunnion wheel unit (12) to an equalizer bracket on the trunnion wheel assembly (100) allows the trunnion wheel to rotate about the wheel pin within a trunnion wheel cavity defined by the trunnion wheel bracket and the equalizer bracket. The trunnion wheel unit is configured to be selectively connected and disconnected from the equalizer bracket to allow for a modular assembly.
These and other features of the trunnion assembly, and its associated methods and systems of use, are set forth in the claims that follow.
Dowiak, Joseph L., Judy, R. Mark, McGowan, William K.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
May 27 2016 | Richmond Engineering Works L.L.C. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
May 31 2016 | DOWIAK, JOSEPH L | RICHMOND ENGINEERING WORKS L L C | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 039030 | /0499 | |
May 31 2016 | JUDY, R MARK | RICHMOND ENGINEERING WORKS L L C | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 039030 | /0499 | |
May 31 2016 | MCGOWAN, WILLIAM K | RICHMOND ENGINEERING WORKS L L C | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 039030 | /0499 |
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